Tapastring Removal

[afhusband]

So after multiple 1/8"(3.5mm) to 1/4" cable, & countless small adapters, I have decided to install a 1/4" jack on my BRW. Seems easy enough... but I can't get the Vintage Jack out.?. I read on Tapastring's site that they're just tension set, so a twist & pull should work. However, the strap button spins around the jack. Make sense?

On the picture below, the pink wood spins around the, black, center jack.



Any helpful hints to getting this thing out?

[sunburst]

You can try tying a short piece of strong cord or string around it, grab the string about 3" from the end pin and give it a quick pull. If it doesn't come out you can work your way farther out on the string until it either comes out or you decide not to do any damage by "snatching" it harder.
When that doesn't work, check back here and we'll come up with plan B.

[afhusband]

Bada-bingo! Thank you kindly. It took more than 1 snatch but it came out!
& why couldn't I think of that?!?
Thanks again.

[Pete Jenner]

& why couldn't I think of that?!?

That's a lot of experience talking.

[Markus]

I love threads like this, where the first answer is advice from an expert luthier.

This forum is amazing, mostly because of the members.

[Timbofood]

Here, here Markus!
Some real forehead slapping moments happen around this site! Usually for me they are the "D'oh" moments!

[afhusband]

This forum is invaluable!

Just to follow up, everything went smoothly & the operation was a success.
...& I'm resisting the urge to rant on the tonal differences that jack made!

[Pete Jenner]

...& I'm resisting the urge to rant on the tonal differences that jack made!

Don't resist. I'd like to hear the whys and wherefores of it.

[afhusband]

Don't resist...

Well okay, since you called me out on it!
Tonal differences; NONE [steps from soapbox]

[bryankimsey]

I've removed (and installed) several of these but I've never seen one where the wood spun. That's interesting- wonder why it was doing that?

One thing I've noticed is that the tailpiece can put pressure on the pin; loosening the tailpiece can often help w/ removal.

[greg_tsam]

Plan B = ViseGrips

[sunburst]

Plan B = ViseGrips

That would be plan C or so. Vise grips can damage end pins pretty badly, but sometimes that's what it takes.
If there are any real "country boys" (or country girls) reading this, they may recognize this tool, but more likely someone who does upholstery work will know what this is.
It a pair of hog ring pliers. They are used to install rings in hog's noses, but mostly for attaching seat covers to car seats and so forth. There is an adjustment that can be set to just grip an end pin and the user can then grip the pliers as hard as he/she wants to, yet the end pin won't be crushed. Heck, they even have little grooves in the jaws that fit an end pin pretty well so they can often remove the most stubborn of end pins with no damage. I didn't suggest them for this one because it sure helps to give the end pin a twist to get it to come out, and with the wooden part spinning it probably wouldn't have worked.

[afhusband]

The ebony had split, causing it to spin around the jack. I would think Tapastring would sell those.?. PM me if anyone wants it, no money, but a cool trade maybe.?. I have written these things off, in the name of convenience. I can see the, very limited call for these though, no need to point it out!

I took the strap off, but put the strap-lock back on the give me a little area to work with when snatching. After I had the endpin out, there was a small aluminum tube in the endpin hole.?. Not sure why, unless the hole was too large for the VintageJack.?. I drilled right through it, as it was glued in, slightly recessed from the outside of the body.

All in all, I played two 4-hour gigs this weekend & had no problems or concerns with those silly little adapters, or awful (1/8 - 1/4) cables they produce.
How much is peace of mind worth?!?

Also, I'm quite familiar with hog ring pliers! Kinda made me miss the family farm... there's a song in there somewhere.

[greg_tsam]

Plan D = Banjo Mute a.k.a. the Nine Pound Hammer